Triyuginarayan Temple, Rudraprayag – The Temple

Triyuginarayan Temple, Rudraprayag – The Temple

The Triyuginarayan Temple is similar to Kedarnath Temple in architecture. The present shrine is also called as Akhand Dhuni Temple. It is believed to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with building many temples in the Uttarakhand region. The temple remains in accessible during the winter months due to the thick snow cover in the area. The shrine houses a silver idol of Lord Vishnu (Narayana). He is about 2 foot high. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

A stone called the Brahma Shila, is situated in front of temple. It is regarded as the exact spot of the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. There is a Saligrama shila of Lord Vishnu in sleeping posture with goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha in the Temple premises. Idols of Badrinarayan, Sita Ramachandra and Kubera can be found in the temple premises.

There is a Havana Kund with the eternal flame (the witness of the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati) is situated in front of the temple. The flame is believed to burn from the times of the divine marriage. Thus, the temple is also known as Akhand Dhuni temple. Devotees add samidha (sacrificial offerings of wood) to the flame and collect the ashes as blessings. There is an idol of Lord Shiva and Parvati blessing devotees in newly wed form in front of this Havana Kund. The idols are of recent origin.

A water stream called Saraswathi Ganga originates in the courtyard of the temple. It fills all the holy ponds in the vicinity. The ponds of Rudra Kund, Vishnu Kund, Brahma Kund and Saraswathi Kund are holy spots situated near the temple. Rudra Kund is for bathing, Vishnu for cleansing, Brahma for sipping and Saraswathi for offering libations.

There is a small temple dedicated to Panchayatana Deities; Ishaneshwar, Annapoorneshwari, Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Dwara Ganapathy, located outside the temple premises. There is also a cave dedicated to Gauri at a distance of 2 Kms from Triyugi Narayan Temple.